Essence of the South Island

On this tour, experience the highlights of New Zealand's South Island: luxury lodges, great food and wine, and unrivalled natural beauty. The tour includes a scenic train ride through the Southern Alps, a spectacular helicopter flight through Milford Sound, and a 4WD tour through the geological wonders of the Canterbury countryside. This tour includes a self-drive component and can be done with a private driver, upon request.

Arrive in Christchurch, the South Island's "Garden City." During private touring, see the renowned Arts Centre, the Avon River and the city's lovely parks and gardens. Transfer with your private driver to Claremont Country Estate, a historic homestead and luxury lodge on 2,400 acres of gardens, orchards, pastures and hills in rural Canterbury. While there, touring highlights include Arthur's Pass and a 4WD tour of the working sheep and cattle station—a quintessential NZ experience!

Next, take one of the world's most scenic rail journeys aboard the TranzAlpine train. Travel from Christchurch over Arthur's Pass to Greymouth, passing through the rolling hills and gorges of Canterbury, through the high peaks of the Southern Alps, and the rain forest of the West Coast. Pick up a rental car in historic Greymouth, and drive to Kapitea Ridge, a hilltop lodge overlooking a long beach, for one night. Drive down the spectacular West Coast, a narrow band of primeval forest wedged between the Alps and rugged sea cliffs. Stay one night in Franz Josef Glacier at Westwood Lodge, a wilderness lodge with panoramic mountain views and an ideal base for exploring magnificent Franz Josef and Fox glaciers and nearby beaches, rivers, lagoons and bird sanctuaries.

Continue your scenic self-drive down the West Coast, perhaps stopping at local towns to browse art galleries. Drive through the Alps at Haast Pass, where waterfalls tumble hundreds of feet down forest-covered cliffs and snow-capped peaks tower over lakes. Stay one night in Wanaka at Whare Kea, a modern Relais & Chateaux luxury lodge on a hillside overlooking beautiful Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains.

Next, drive the short distance to Queenstown, an upscale resort town on the edge of Lake Wakatipu surrounded by high peaks. Tour the town before continuing to a luxury wilderness lodge for a three-night stay. While there, we'll arrange for you to take a thrilling Dart River jet boat safari into the magnificent landscapes of Mt. Aspiring National Park. Another day, take a spectacular private flight over the Alps to Milford Sound, one of New Zealand's most famous and dramatic attractions. This memorable tour also includes a glacier landing.